NTA endorses Baraka for mayor

Published on Monday, March 17, 2014

Baraka (center) is joined by (left to right) NTA Past President Annette Alston, NTA President Joyce McCree, NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer and NJEA Vice President Marie Blistan at a recent event in Newark.

The Newark Teachers Association, NJEA’s local affiliate in New Jersey’s largest city, today endorsed Ras Baraka for mayor.

NTA president Joyce McCree issued the following statement regarding the endorsement:

“NTA is proud to endorse Ras Baraka for Mayor. Ras believes in Newark and as mayor he will advocate for our community and our children. He is a distinguished educator himself, and has dedicated his life to improving public education in Newark and preparing our children for success. NTA knows that Ras will fight for great public schools for every child in Newark, and we will work alongside him to achieve that goal.

“Our city needs a leader who understands public education and who is committed to preserving it in Newark. We need to take back control of our schools from the New Jersey Department of Education and the state-appointed superintendent, Cami Anderson. Under Gov. Christie, funding for public education in Newark has been woefully inadequate. Anderson’s policies have exacerbated the funding shortfalls that are hurting our children.

“Now Anderson and the state are engaged in a plan to dismantle the district and sell off Newark’s public schools to private interests. We need a leader in the mayor’s office who will stand up for public education and fight for our community’s right to educate its children. We know that Ras Baraka is a true advocate for public education who understands what our schools and our community need in order to thrive.

“It is time for strong leadership in Newark, and Ras Baraka is the candidate who will bring that. We are proud to be part of his movement to transform our city and strengthen our schools.”

NTA represents more than 120 school nurses in Newark. NTA also has over 200 teachers and support staff as active members.